b3ta.com qotw
You are not logged in. Login or Signup
Home » Question of the Week » Home Science » Post 1700239 | Search
This is a question Home Science

Have you split the atom in your kitchen? Made your own fireworks? Fired a bacon rocket through your window?
We love home science experiments - tell us about your best, preferably with instructions.

Extra points for lost eyebrows / nasal hair / limbs

(, Thu 9 Aug 2012, 17:25)
Pages: Popular, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

« Go Back | See The Full Thread

Quite a lot of powders burn.
Basically anything that is organic, and a fine powder, will explode under the right conditions.

Part of my work involves loading terminals at ports. In the course of my career have seen several grain terminals go up, usually dust from wheat or corn, and for the really big bangs what you want is a sugar terminal.

We built one in France. To get into it you had to empty your pockets and wear a special non static suit, and a hat that stopped you touching your hair, which could in theory produce a spark.

Oh, I beleive coal dust goes up well too. Never seen that though.
(, Fri 10 Aug 2012, 9:14, 1 reply)
And some metal powders (e.g. iron and zinc) can spontaneously ignite in air.

(, Fri 10 Aug 2012, 20:43, closed)

« Go Back | See The Full Thread

Pages: Popular, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1